As the October 31^st deadline to submit applications approaches, State Senator Patty Ritchie is encouraging all homeowners whose primary residence suffered damage as a result of this year’s flooding along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River to apply for relief funding as soon as possible.

Applications are available on the New York State Homes and Community Renewal website, www.hcr.ny.gov.

“It is very important that all primary shoreline homeowners who saw the high waters of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River damage their home, apply now,” Senator Ritchie said. “From visiting our shoreline communities, I know just how devastating this second flooding event in just three years has been.  The last thing anyone wants to see is for homeowners to not get the help they need because they did not submit an application on time.”

Funds are available via the state’s Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) program, which set aside $20 million to help homeowners complete repair projects that will protect their property from future flooding. 

Primary homeowners will be given priority access to the funding. However, thanks to the advocacy of Senator Ritchie, secondary homeowners will be able to apply for assistance after the needs of primary homeowners have been met. More information on that process will be available soon.

In addition, at the Senator’s request, the Governor’s Office has also agreed to monitor the allocation of funds to ensure each region gets its fair share.